Department for Transport

Eurostar: Coronavirus

Paul Maynard: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what recent discussions he has had with Getlink plc on the introduction of a quarantine period for inbound UK Eurostar passengers as a result of the covid-19 pandemic.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport has engaged in extensive discussions with senior officials at both Eurotunnel (part of Getlink Group) and Eurostar in the run up to and after the announcement made by the Prime Minister on Sunday 10 May. These discussions encompassed further measures at the border for international arrivals to safeguard public health, including the requirements for arriving passengers to self-isolate for 14 days.

High Speed 2 Railway Line

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking to involve UK manufacturing and construction companies in the construction of HS2.

Andrew Stephenson: On 15 April 2020 the Government provided the construction sector with certainty by confirming ‘Notice to Proceed’ for the first phase of High Speed 2. This marks formal approval for main construction works to begin on the route between London and Birmingham. An estimated 400,000 supply chain contract opportunities for UK businesses will be created during phase one of HS2, supporting thousands of jobs on site and many more around the country. It is estimated that around 95% of those contract opportunities will be won by UK based businesses and around two thirds of those will be small and medium sized businesses. To support UK suppliers since 2013, HS2 Ltd has undertaken an unprecedented level of supplier engagement. This has been achieved through publishing a contract opportunities table on its website, targeted ‘meet the contractor’ events as well as regular engagement with UK businesses, industry and supply chain groups including Local Enterprise Partnerships (LEPs), Chambers of Commerce and Trade Associations. To date, this approach has ensured that over 98% of contracts on the HS2 programme have been awarded to UK based organisations, over 70% of which are Small and Medium Sized Enterprises (SMEs). HS2 Ltd has mandated the use of the subcontracts opportunity portal CompeteFor in its Tier1 contracts to ensure visibility of subcontract opportunities arising from the HS2 programme.

Cycling: Infrastructure

Ruth Cadbury: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, with reference to the Answer of 5 March 2018 to Question 130509 on Cycling and Walking: Infrastructure, when he plans to publish an updated version of his Department's guidance, Cycle infrastructure design (LTN 2/08).

Chris Heaton-Harris: On 9 May the Government announced a £2bn package of funding for cycling and walking over the next five years. The Government intends to publish the updated version of the Department’s cycle infrastructure design guidance in the summer, and will make clear its expectation that the guidance must followed for all cycling schemes supported by Government funding.

Ferries: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what discussions he has had with ferry operators on providing appropriate compensation to people who have had their journeys cancelled due to the covid-19 outbreak.

Kelly Tolhurst: The Government recognises the extremely difficult circumstances consumers and many businesses are currently facing. The Department for Transport is in regular contact with ferry operators and is working closely with the sector and consumer groups to help ensure ferry operators deliver on their commitments. Under the maritime passenger rights rules, passengers are entitled to a full refund of the ticket price where a ferry journey has been cancelled by the operator. However, because the Covid-19 outbreak is considered an “extraordinary circumstance”, ferry operators are not liable to pay compensation as well under these rules.

Transport: Schools

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Transport, what steps he is taking with the Secretary of State for Education to to promote (a) cycling, (b) walking and (c) other sustainable transport for journeys to and from school as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Chris Heaton-Harris: The Department for Transport is making £225 million available to local authorities this financial year for urgent measures to make it easier for people to walk and cycle for all short journeys, including to school. The Department for Education has produced guidance on implementing protective measures in education and childcare settings. This guidance sets out that schools should ‘ensure parents and young people are aware of recommendations on transport to and from education or childcare settings’ and encourage parents and children and young people ‘to walk or cycle to their education setting where possible’.

Foreign and Commonwealth Office

Iran: Arms Trade

John Lamont: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what assessment he has made of the level of regional threat posed by Iran re-entering the arms market following the expiration of the UN conventional arms embargo in October 2020.

James Cleverly: The UK remains committed to the Joint Comprehensive Plan of Action (JCPoA), a reciprocal deal that lifts sanctions in exchange for tough nuclear limits. Iran has broken the nuclear limits in the JCPoA and we are working to bring Iran back into compliance through the deal's Dispute Resolution Mechanism.United Nations Security Council Resolution (UNSCR) 2231, which underpins the JCPoA, includes a number of clauses designed to allow sanctions to expire on fixed dates: the UN conventional arms embargo is due to expire in October 2020. We have repeatedly set out concerns about Iranian destabilising behaviour, including proliferation to non-state actors. UNSCRs 1540, 2216 and 1701, which prohibit the proliferation of weapons to the Houthis and Lebanese Hizballah, will remain in place after the arms embargo expires. The EU arms embargo and UN ballistic missile restrictions will also remain in place until 2023. We are consulting partners on the broader implications of the UN arms embargo expiry and encourage all states to implement national export control best practice.

Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what plans he has to operationalise diplomatic protection for Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe.

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has instructed the British ambassador in Tehran to visit Nazanin Zaghari-Ratcliffe while under house arrest in response to her and her family's request that she be visited to demonstrate the Government's continuing protection of her.

James Cleverly: We are in regular contact with Mrs Zaghari-Ratcliffe while she is out on temporary release. While her further extension is a welcome step, we continue to urge the Iranian Government to make it permanent so she can return to her family in the UK and will continue to raise this at the highest levels with Iran. Our Ambassador in Tehran consistently raises all of our dual national detainees with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. When diplomatic protection was exercised, we were clear that it would not lead to an immediate resolution, but we will continue to consider using all the diplomatic and legal tools available to us.

Iran: Detainees

Tulip Siddiq: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether he has received assurances from his Iranian counterpart that British citizens will not be imprisoned for the purpose of diplomatic leverage in the coming months.

James Cleverly: The safety and security of British citizens in Iran is of paramount importance, and we call on Iran to uphold its commitments under international law to treat all detainees in line with international standards. The Foreign Secretary continues to raise his concerns over arbitrary detentions, most recently with Foreign Minister Zarif on 16 March. Our Ambassador to Iran has consistently raised this issue with the Iranian Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We will continue to lobby the Iranian Government at the most senior level.

Iran: Diplomatic Relations

Giles Watling: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what representations he has made to his Iranian counterpart on reported social media comments by Iranian Supreme Leader Ali Khamenei stating that Britain has always been a source of evil and catastrophe.

James Cleverly: We have a long-standing bilateral relationship with Iran. This is not without its challenges and we continue to engage with Iran, including at ministerial level, on a range of important issues. However, no representations have been made on the Supreme Leader's comments.On the reference to Palestine, we are clear that we want to see the creation of a sovereign, independent and viable Palestinian state - living in peace and security, side by side with Israel.

Iran: Coronavirus

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, what recent representations he has made to the Iranian Government on the release from prison of (a) Soheil Arabi, (b) Sina Dehgan and (c) Mohammed Nourie, as a result of the risk of contracting covid-19 in those prisons.

James Cleverly: We routinely discuss with Iran our concerns relating to the risks posed by COVID-19 in Iran and have provided funding to the UN to help combat the rapid spread of the disease. On 9 May President Rouhani acknowledged that there were known cases of COVID-19 in Iranian prisons. We are urgently seeking further information from the Iranian authorities on these reports and have consistently raised this with the Ministry of Foreign Affairs. We continue to express our concerns to the Government of Iran at the ongoing incarceration of prisoners of conscience and religion, and encourage Iran to live up to its international human rights obligations towards all its citizens.

*No heading*

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Foreign and Commonwealth Affairs, whether his Department responded to the UN Special Rapporteur on Freedom of Religion or Belief’s call for evidence for his report to the United Nations General Assembly on the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16.

Nigel Adams: The Foreign and Commonwealth Office is presently coordinating the UK's response to the UN Special Rapporteur for Freedom of Religion or Belief's report on eliminating intolerance and discrimination based on religion or belief and the achievement of Sustainable Development Goal 16, taking into account contributions from other Government Departments. We aim to submit our response by the UN's deadline of 6 June.

Department of Health and Social Care

Coronavirus: Dental Services

Royston Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has provided to dentists on preventing infection during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: The Government is working to support and protect all our frontline National Health Service health and care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dentists. NHS England issued a series of guidance to ensure dental teams safety and their role in supporting the wider NHS and social care system during the pandemic.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. A copy of the letter that was published can be found on the NHS England website.The latest COVID-19 guidance for dental practices can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Stuart Anderson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessments he has made of the adequacy of support provided for care homes to provide sufficient food to residents during the covid-19 pandemic.

Helen Whately: The United Kingdom’s food supply chain remains resilient and the Environment Secretary continues to meet regularly with representatives of the food industry to ensure people can get the food and groceries they need.The Cabinet Office, working in partnership with the Federation of Wholesale Distributors, have launched Food2Care as a response to reports of care home owners’ concerns about food availability from supermarkets, and the increased risk of introducing Covid-19 into their residential premises if kitchen staff have to make regular shopping trips.Foodservice wholesalers know the product and menu requirements care homes have, and they work every day with the manufacturers to meet the needs of residents. They can help design meals and menus, and they know what other similar businesses are buying. They have temperature-controlled delivery vehicles and online ordering platforms and experienced telephone sales teams.Catering packs are larger than supermarket ones and come with nutritional and allergen information. Distributors can provide advice and Government guidance on food storage and preparation – everything care homes need to ensure their residents and teams are fed during these unprecedented times. More information can be found at the following link:www.food2care.co.uk

Dental Services

Daniel Zeichner: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what support the Government is providing to dental practices that are part NHS and part private to ensure those practices continue to operate.

Jo Churchill: Routine dentistry has been suspended for the peak COVID-19 period with National Health Service urgent dental care provided through a number of urgent dental treatment centres. The suspension of routine dentistry is driven both by the particularly high risk for transmission a number of dental procedures present and, during the lockdown period, the need to support social distancing by reducing footfall.NHS England is continuing to fully fund dentists for their NHS contracts while the requirement to deliver a given amount of treatment is suspended. As part of the agreement dental practices will provide remote urgent advice, redeploy staff to provide urgent face to face care in one of the 550 urgent dental centres and redeploy other staff to support the wider NHS on COVID-19.NHS England’s guidance on financial support and the redeployment of staff can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice/Private dentistry is independent of the Department and decisions on whether to continue to provide care are a matter for individual practices. However, they are advised by their professional regulator, the General Dental Council, to take careful account of the advice by the Chief Dental Officer that routine dentistry should be suspended. Dentists are being supported to follow this guidance by the financial support available through the Treasury schemes for business owners, the self-employed or salaried individuals. Which scheme applies will depend on the employment status of the individual dentist. Dentists who meet the Treasury criteria can access this support for the private element of their earnings whether or not they also provide NHS care.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that NHS dentistry services will continue to be available after the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each National Health Service regionAs of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHSThe NHS England and Improvement guidance issued from the Chief Dental Officer on 25 March applied directly only to NHS dental care. When providing private care dentists should consider any advice or guidance issued by regulators, the relevant professional body, Chief Professional Officers, or the NHS, as appropriate. All official guidance should be considered in delivery of private or NHS treatment but guidance issued to the NHS is only binding for NHS careNHS England and Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. The letter to dentists setting this out is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish the number of fully operating urgent dental centres open for patient referral in each (a) NHS administrative area and (b) county.

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many urgent dental centres are operating in North Yorkshire and Humber; and which NHS clusters have not yet identified a potential urgent dental centre.

Jo Churchill: The Government is working to support and protect all our frontline National Health Service health and care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dentists.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. A copy of the letter that was published can be found on the NHS England website.The latest COVID-19 guidance for dental practices can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice

Dental Services

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the capacity of urgent dental care hubs to treat referred patients.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 27 April 2020



The Government is working to support and protect all our frontline National Health Services health and care staff during the COVID-19 pandemic, including dentists.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. A copy of the letter that was published can be found on the NHS England website.The latest COVID-19 guidance for dental practices can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice

Dental Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, which urgent care centres for dental treatment have opened in each area since 25 March 2020; and how many (a) patients have been treated and (b) FP17s have been submitted for urgent care at each centre since that date.

Jo Churchill: NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each National Health Services region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.The NHS England and Improvement guidance issued from the Chief Dental Officer on 25 March applied directly only to NHS dental care. When providing private care dentists should consider any advice or guidance issued by regulators, the relevant professional body, Chief Professional Officers, or the NHS, as appropriate. All official guidance should be considered in delivery of private or NHS treatment but guidance issued to the NHS is only binding for NHS care.NHS England and Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. The letter to dentists setting this out is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the Government's target travel time is for patients accessing urgent dental care during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: No target travel time has been set for patients accessing urgent dental care centres. Travelling time as with routine dental services will vary depending on the locality. NHS England and NHS Improvement are working urgently to ensure urgent dental services are in place for all who need them.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each National Health Service region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. A copy of the letter that was published can be found on the NHS England website.The latest COVID-19 guidance for dental practices can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/primary-care/dental-practice

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the risk of covid-19 spreading in dental practices; and what steps he will take to minimise those risks.

Jo Churchill: NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to ensure appropriate services are in place for all who need them.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that people that need access to urgent dental care receive treatment as soon as possible.

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of NHS plans to provide access to urgent dental care during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to ensure appropriate services are in place for all who need them.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each National Health Service region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the (a) availability of access to emergency dental treatment based on clinical need and (b) quality of that treatment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: To meet the Government social distancing measures and to contain the spread of Covid-19 all routine dentistry has currently been suspended.We expect all NHS dental practices to provide urgent telephone advice and triage. Dentists are giving urgent advice remotely and, if needed, prescriptions for painkillers or antibiotics. All urgent face to face treatment that is clinically necessary is available for patients who are triaged by their dentist or NHS111 into one of the 550 urgent dental care centres set up by NHS England and NHS Improvement.The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the National Health Service and we expect this treatment to be of high quality standards.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Dr Dan Poulter: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure the resumption of routine dental services during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to ensure appropriate services are in place for all who need them.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.NHS England and Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Coronavirus: Death

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, by what date deaths outside hospital from covid-19 will be published daily.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 04 May 2020



On 29 April 2020 the Government introduced a new daily death reporting protocol which includes deaths that have occurred in all settings where there has been a positive COVID-19 test such as hospitals, care homes and the wider community. More information can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/news/daily-death-reporting-now-includes-all-positive-covid-19-deathsThe Office for National Statistics (ONS) is also publishing stats from deaths registered in a given week, which include deaths outside hospital such as care homes. From 28 April 2020, the ONS publish counts of deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes, based on reporting from care home operators to the Care Quality Commission. These figures will put deaths involving COVID-19 in care homes in proper context, alongside the ONS’s more comprehensive figures.

Coronavirus: Death

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will report on all deaths with covid-19 mentioned on the death certificate that occur (a) in hospitals, (b) in care homes, (c) at home and (d) elsewhere.

Jo Churchill: The Office for National Statistics publishes detailed data each week, drawing on data from death registration systems. Those statistics include a breakdown by region, age and gender for England and Wales and also provide direct links to equivalent sources for Scotland and Northern Ireland.The Department publishes a daily count, covering the whole of the United Kingdom, showing how many people have died following a positive test. That source does not provide a breakdown by region or other factors, but it is sourced directly from data published by public health organisations in each of the four nations of the UK; and each of those provides a detailed count by region, local authority or health board. Data from Public Health England, for example, provides both a trend series and a breakdown by local authority.

Death

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the number of excess deaths reported by the Office for National Statistics; and if he will make a statement.

Jo Churchill: The Secretary of State for Health and Social Care is regularly updated with COVID-19-related deaths and has regular discussions with Cabinet colleagues about policy decisions which are informed by the scientific advice, including analysis of a wide range of data sources.

Dental Services: York

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure the adequate provision of (a) emergency dental services and (b) routine dental treatments in York.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 04 May 2020



NHS England and NHS Improvement are working to ensure appropriate services are in place for all who need them.NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each NHS region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open across England. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS. Information on the number of urgent dental cares is not currently available broken down by county.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Carers: Protective Clothing

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the Scottish Government's decision to offer family carers personal protective equipment; and if he will introduce a similar policy in England.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 04 May 2020



On 8 April the Government published guidance for unpaid carers which provides general advice, including advice on infection control, links to other information and support, and advice on caring where someone has symptoms. This can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-providing-unpaid-careThe Government will continue to work closely with carer organisations and others to support unpaid carers during this period and beyond. This includes working with Carers UK to provide carers with practical advice which can be found at the following link:https://www.carersuk.org/help-and-advice/health/looking-after-your-health/coronavirus-covid-19Guidance for everyone, including unpaid carers, on self-care and mental health wellbeing can be found published on GOV.UK.We do not recommend the use of facemasks as an effective means of preventing the spread of infection, unless advised by a healthcare professional. Facemasks play an important role in clinical settings, such as hospitals, where staff are trained in the use of personal protective equipment but there is little evidence of benefit from their general use outside of these settings. As such there are no current plans to change the policy in England.

Department of Health and Social Care: Written Questions

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to publish a substantive response to Named Day Question 37374 Care Homes: Cleaning Services; Named Day Question 38411 on Protective Clothing: Procurement and Named Day Question 38861 on Coronavirus: Disease Control that were due for answer on 27 April 2020.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 06 May 2020



The Rt hon. Member’s questions were answered on 13 May.

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the range of urgent dental treatments available through the NHS during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide dental treatment to people suffering from dental conditions for which treatment is not available during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients are waiting for dental treatment that is not available through NHS England’s urgent dental treatment during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 06 May 2020



To meet the Government social distancing measures and to contain the spread of Covid-19 all routine dentistry has currently been suspended.We expect all NHS dental practices to provide urgent telephone advice and triage. Dentists are giving urgent advice remotely and, if needed, prescriptions for painkillers or antibiotics. All urgent face to face treatment that is clinically necessary is available for patients who are triaged by their dentist or NHS111 into one of the 550 urgent dental care centres set up by NHS England and NHS Improvement.The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the National Health Service. Data is not available on the number of patients who are waiting for routine dental treatment.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Dental Services

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the adequacy of the range of urgent dental treatments available through NHS England.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 11 May 2020



To meet the Government social distancing measures and to contain the spread of Covid-19 all routine dentistry has currently been suspended.We expect all NHS dental practices to provide urgent telephone advice and triage. Dentists are giving urgent advice remotely and, if needed, prescriptions for painkillers or antibiotics. All urgent face to face treatment that is clinically necessary is available for patients who are triaged by their dentist or NHS111 into one of the 550 urgent dental care centres set up by NHS England and NHS Improvement.The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS. Data is not available on the number of patients who are waiting for routine dental treatment.NHS England and NHS Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety.A copy of the letter that was published can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

NHS: Mental Health

Dr Rosena Allin-Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what recent assessment he had made of the correlation between staff mental health issues and levels of job retention.

Helen Whately: Improving the psychological wellbeing of those working in the National Health Service is an essential factor in retaining NHS staff. Therefore, improving psychological wellbeing has been a key focus of the NHS People Plan. An interim version of the NHS People Plan was published on 3 June, setting out the vision for how this will be achieved by creating a new offer for all NHS staff, developed through widespread engagement with our people and staff representatives.Publication of the final NHS People Plan has been deferred to allow the NHS to provide maximum operational effort to COVID-19 response. However, we have commissioned NHS England to develop a comprehensive emotional, psychological and practical support package for NHS staff during and following the COVID-19 response. Details of the support available as a part of this package are online at the following link:people.nhs.uk/help

Social Services: Disability

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will allocate additional funding to the social care system to ensure disabled people and their families are adequately supported to stay healthy and safe.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 11 May 2020



Social care services are commissioned by local authorities. On 19 March we announced £1.6 billion to help local authorities deal with the immediate impacts of COVID-19, which many councils will have directed towards adult social care. On 18 April we announced an additional £1.6 billion of funding to support councils to deliver essential frontline services.This funding is part of the Government’s commitment to ensure the National Health Service and social care system, and other public services, have the resources required to tackle COVID-19. The Government will continue to monitor pressures in the NHS and local government and will keep future funding under review.

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Andrew Rosindell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure adequate support for extremely vulnerable children and families that are required to self-isolate.

Jo Churchill: The Government has published advice for people who are extremely vulnerable and for intergenerational households. This advice is relevant to both extremely vulnerable children and families.More information can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19/guidance-on-shielding-and-protecting-extremely-vulnerable-persons-from-covid-19https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/covid-19-stay-at-home-guidance/guidance-for-households-with-grandparents-parents-and-children-living-together-where-someone-is-at-increased-risk-or-has-symptoms-of-coronavirus-cov

Nursing and Midwifery Council: Fees and Charges

Martyn Day: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to waive Nursing and Midwifery Council registration fees for (a) nurses and (b) midwives that are working in response to the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: The Nursing and Midwifery Council (NMC) is the independent regulator of nurses and midwives in the United Kingdom, and nursing associates in England. The NMC’s regulatory activities are primarily funded by annual registration fees, currently set at £120 per year. There are no current plans to subsidise the annual registration fee for existing registrants.The Department has been working closely with the NMC to support the response to the COVID-19 outbreak. On 30 March the NMC introduced a temporary register to increase the number of nurses and midwives available to respond to the pandemic. There is no registration fee for nurses and midwives joining the temporary register. The Department is in discussions with the NMC about the additional costs of implementing the temporary register.

Department of Health and Social Care: Written Questions

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when he plans to respond to Questions 37548 and 37552, tabled by the hon. Member for Worsley and Eccles South on 20 April 2020.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 12 May 2020



The hon. Members’ questions were answered on 15 May and 7 May respectively.

Coronavirus: Learning Disability

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many deaths of people with learning disabilities from covid-19 have been notified to NHS England by the Learning Disability Mortality Review in each week since 1 March 2020.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 May 2020 to Question 37551 on Coronavirus: Learning Disability, what data (a) his Department, (b) NHS England and (c) the Office for National Statistics is collecting on the (i) demographic and (ii) protected characteristics of people that have (A) been diagnosed with and (B) died from covid-19.

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy that NHS England publishes its data on deaths from covid-19 notified to it under the LeDeR programme on a weekly basis, and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 12 May 2020



Information on COVID-19 deaths of people with a learning disability notified to the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review programme is available on the NHS England website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/covid-19-deaths-of-patients-with-a-learning-disability-notified-to-leder/NHS England publishes COVID-19 daily deaths of people who have died in hospitals in England and had tested positive for COVID-19 or where COVID-19 was mentioned on the death certificate at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/statistics/statistical-work-areas/covid-19-daily-deaths/These daily reports include a breakdown by such criteria as reporting trust, region, age, ethnicity, gender and specific pre-existing conditions, including learning disability and/or autism.Public Health England is leading a rapid review to better understand how different factors such as ethnicity, deprivation, age, sex (male and female) and obesity can impact on how people are affected by COVID-19. The report is being finalised and will be published shortly.

Coronavirus: Learning Disability

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 5 May 2020 to Question 37551 on Coronavirus: Learning Disability, for what reason his Department does not collect data on the number of disabled people that have died from covid-19.

Helen Whately: Information on COVID-19 deaths of people with a learning disability notified to the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review programme is available on the NHS England website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/covid-19-deaths-of-patients-with-a-learning-disability-notified-to-leder/

Care Homes: Dementia

Greg Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans his Department has to ensure that care homes have the technological capability to (a) maintain social contact and (b) preserve cognitive ability for people affected by dementia during the covid-19 outbreak.

Alexander Stafford: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps the Government is taking to ensure care homes have the technological capability to preserve cognitive ability for people affected by dementia by maintaining social contact.

Rosie Cooper: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to ensure that care homes have the technological capability to (a) maintain social contact and (b) preserve cognitive ability for people affected by dementia.

Helen Whately: The Department, Public Health England, the Care Quality Commission and the National Health Service have published guidance on the care of residents in care homes, including those with dementia. It asks care homes to consider alternatives to in-person visiting, including use of telephones or video, or the use of plastic or glass barriers between residents and visitors. NHSX has rapidly established a team to support those who are vulnerable, isolated or in social care with technology during Coronavirus (Covid-19). The team has taken several steps to ensure that care homes have the technological capability to maintain social contact for their residents, including: a pilot of 2,050 Facebook Portal devices, and negotiating broadband deals to make sure care homes have the connectivity to access video calls. Twelve of the major telecoms providers have also agreed to work with care homes that have slow, or no broadband connections, to improve connectivity wherever possible. A number of offers have recently been made available to care homes.

Care Homes: Dementia

Greg Smith: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has to bring forward guidance for care homes allowing visitors to care home residents with dementia during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: The Department’s COVID-19 Adult Social Care Action Plan outlines the importance of restricting visitors to care homes at this time to reduce the risk of infection for care home residents and staff. The Adult Social Care Action Plan is available to view at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-adult-social-care-action-planIt is recognised that this restriction in visitors may cause anxiety for both residents and their relatives. Existing guidance encourages that alternatives to in-person visiting are explored such as telephones or video calling. It is important that relatives can visit their loved one if they are dying, or if the relatives’ bereavement is likely to be worse, with a higher risk of psychological and physical morbidity. The Adult Social Care Action Plan acknowledges this exception.

Care Homes: ICT

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 29 April 2020 to Question 34959, what estimate he has made of the number of portals required to provide each care home resident access to social contact; if he will work with technology companies to ensure that each care home resident has access to technological devices for communicating with loved ones; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Following a donation of 2,050 Portal devices by Facebook, NHSX set up a pilot to test if and how the Portals could be used to help care home residents to connect with loved ones during COVID-19. As part of the pilot evaluation, NHSX has been collecting feedback from care staff and residents to identify the optimum number of Portals per care home to support communication with family and friends. Early results suggest having access to just one Portal in a care home can make a positive difference and improve social contact for residents. NHSX is working to deliver better connectivity for care homes, including enhanced broadband and WiFi, and is actively working with technology companies to improve access to devices for care home residents. Twelve of the major telecoms providers have also agreed to work with care homes that have slow, or no broadband connections, to improve connectivity wherever possible. A number of offers have recently been made available to care homes.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will re-introduce Care Quality Commission inspections with regard to the high number of covid-19 related deaths in care homes.

Helen Whately: Throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, the Care Quality Commission’s regulatory role and purpose has not changed; it has introduced an Emergency Support Framework which acts as a temporary regulatory model for the period of the pandemic. The information the CQC collects from all sources is being used collectively to monitor and respond to risk. It allows the CQC to understand the impact of COVID-19 on staff and people using services, and where needed, to follow up directly with an inspection, or escalate concerns to regional, and national system partners where they are best placed to address. The CQC inspectors are contacting providers who have reported deaths of people in their care from confirmed or suspected COVID-19 in order to offer information, advice and help.

Coronavirus: Disability

Dr Lisa Cameron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure public health and care services remain aware of their legal obligations to (a) make reasonable adjustments, (b) meet communication needs and (c) assess capacity during care or treatment for disabled people during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: A range of guidance has been published to ensure that public health and care services remain aware of their legal obligations to make reasonable adjustments during the COVID-19 pandemic. For example, NHS England and NHS Improvement have produced the ‘Grab and Go’ hospital passport and related guidance to support organisations to make reasonable adjustments for people with learning disabilities and/or autism.We expect organisations to continue to comply with the requirements of the Accessible Information Standard which National Health Service organisations must follow to support effective communication. NHS England and NHS Improvement have also published a range of easy read documents to support the communication needs of people with a learning disability, autism or both during COVID-19.The principles of the Mental Capacity Act (2005) and the safeguards provided by the Deprivation of Liberty Safeguards still apply during the COVID-19 outbreak. On 9 April we published guidance to help decision makers make decisions regarding capacity quickly and safely, whilst also keeping the person at the centre of the process.

Health Services and Social Services: Protective Clothing

Rushanara Ali: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government has a target date for each health and social care provider to receive adequate levels of personal protective equipment.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



There is no target date for each health and social care provider to receive adequate levels of personal protective equipment. The Government has always been clear that every health and care worker should get the personal protective equipment (PPE) they need to tackle this outbreak. We are working around the clock to achieve this.

Radiotherapy: Coronavirus

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will establish a covid-19 cancer taskforce to assess the merits of increasing access to radiotherapy during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



There are currently no plans to establish a taskforce to look at increasing access to radiotherapy during the COVID-19 outbreak.

NHS: Protective Clothing

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the implications for his policies of the finding by the Royal College of Physicians that access to personal protective equipment declined over the month of April 2020.

Jo Churchill: We are working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider National Health Service the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak. The Government published ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan’ on 10 April. It incorporates guidance on who needs PPE and when they need it, routes to ensure those who need it can get it at the right time and sets out actions to secure enough PPE to last through the crisis.Systems set up to supply 226 NHS trusts have increased their operations in a matter of weeks to provide drops of critical equipment to 58,000 healthcare settings including general practitioners, pharmacies and social care providers. The creation of this PPE distribution network has required a huge increase in the logistics capability.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Emma Hardy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to update guidance to care homes on whether vulnerable residents should be placed into self isolation in a care home that does not have a covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



‘Admission and Care of Residents during COVID-19 Incident in a Care Home’ is the current guidance for the care sector and is live on gov.uk. This guidance sets out infection control and cohorting advice to care homes, which providers should follow to ensure that they have the confidence to receive and support residents.We are currently reviewing and updating this guidance in line with recent policy changes and updates to other relevant guidance. We aim to publish the updated guidance shortly.This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we continue to review our guidance in line with the latest scientific advice and emerging domestic and international evidence; this includes considering changes to infection control measures such as isolation and cohorting policies in care homes.

Coronavirus: Learning Disability

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many people who have died from covid-19 had a learning difficulty; and what estimate he has made of the infection rate for people with a learning difficulty.

Helen Whately: Information on COVID-19 deaths of people with a learning disability notified to the Learning Disabilities Mortality Review programme is available on the NHS England website at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/publication/covid-19-deaths-of-patients-with-a-learning-disability-notified-to-leder/We do not have an estimate of the infection rate for people with a learning disability.

Travel Restrictions: Coronavirus

Stella Creasy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether a 14 day quarantine period will be required for people travelling to the UK for medical procedures.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



As the level of infection in the United Kingdom reduces, it will be important to manage the risk of transmissions being reintroduced from abroad. As set out in the COVID-19 recovery strategy, we will introduce a series of measures and restrictions at the UK border, including requiring international arrivals to provide contact information and self-isolate. Further details and guidance for self-isolation measures for incoming travelers will be set out shortly, including the list of exemptions. More information is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy/our-plan-to-rebuild-the-uk-governments-covid-19-recovery-strategy#our-roadmap-to-lift-restrictions-step-by-step

Coronavirus: Nutrition

Alex Norris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to provide intravenous nutrition to patients who cannot safely be admitted to hospital during the covid-19 outbreak.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



We have continued to deliver the most urgent treatments, such as emergency and urgent cancer care, throughout the COVID-19 outbreak.Services to patients with intestinal failure, either requiring the initiation of home parenteral nutrition, or the review and monitoring of those established on home parenteral (intravenous) nutrition, have continued to be supported throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.At the end of March 2020, NHS England published guidance for clinical leads about home parenteral nutrition services, including information to give to patients. A copy of the guidance can be found at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/home-parenteral-nutrition-hpn-services/

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing

Barbara Keeley: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, with reference to the Government's covid-19 recovery strategy, what assessment he has made of the potential effect of advising people to wear face coverings on the supply of personal protective equipment for key workers.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



We are working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider National Health Service the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak.We published a personal protective equipment (PPE) Plan on 10 April, setting out clear guidance on who needs PPE and in what circumstances they need to use it; and how sufficient supplies will be secured and distributed to the front line. The ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): personal protective equipment (PPE) plan’ can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-plan

Coronavirus: Religious Buildings

Catherine West: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to publish for what reasons places of worship are not included in the initial easing of covid-19 lockdown measures.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



The ongoing closure of places of worship reflects the need to limit social contact in indoor spaces, where the risk of infection is higher. We recognise that transparency is important in these unprecedented times. We have therefore published the statements and the accompanying evidence to demonstrate how our understanding of COVID-19 has continued to evolve as new data emerges, and how the advice from the Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies has quickly adapted to new findings that reflect a changing situation.The scientific evidence supporting the government response to COVID-19 can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/scientific-advisory-group-for-emergencies-sage-coronavirus-covid-19-response

Surgery: Private Sector

Mr John Baron: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, when operations in private hospitals will resume following the covid-19 lockdown.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



National Health Service patients are benefitting from an unprecedented partnership with private hospitals in the United Kingdom as we battle the COVID-19 outbreak. Throughout this period, independent providers have continued to provide urgent operations for private pay or insured patients.From the middle of May 2020, independent providers have been able to provide more routine elective work to private pay or insured patients and where this has been agreed locally with the NHS.

Care Homes: Disclosure of Information

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he is taking to ensure that care home staff are compliant with the Duty of Candour.

Helen Whately: The Care Quality Commission (CQC) launched its Emergency Support Framework (ESF) on 1 May following the suspension of routine inspections at the start of the COVID-19 pandemic. The ESF provides a structured framework for the conversations that CQC inspectors have with providers. Any assessments of the Duty of Candour are undertaken as part of section 4.2 of the ESF, which covers processes around the quality and safety of care. Furthermore, the notifications of death which are reviewed by CQC inspectors include a question about whether the Duty of Candour had been triggered.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Siobhain McDonagh: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made for the implications of his policy of the Alzheimer’s Society survey, published 13 May 2020, that found over half of care homes surveyed felt unable to safely self-isolate residents with covid-19 symptoms.

Helen Whately: The safety of residents and staff is our priority. If appropriate isolation or cohorted care is not available with a local care provider, the individual’s local authority will be asked to secure alternative appropriate accommodation and care for the remainder of the required isolation period, in line with the adult social care action plan.Costs of providing this accommodation are covered by the £1.3 billion COVID-19 discharge funding via the National Health Service.On 15 May we published our care homes support plan. This is the next phase of our response for care homes.We have announced an additional £600 million Infection Control Fund for Adult Social Care to reduce transmission of COVID-19 in care homes as part of a wider support package.

Coronavirus: Patients

Olivia Blake: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what standardised (a) advice, (b) guidance and (c) support is made available to the family and friends of covid-19 inpatients.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 18 May 2020



The National Health Service takes all necessary precautions to protect patients and staff during the COVID-19 outbreak.Current NHS guidance on ‘Visitor Guidance’ (within inpatient, diagnostic and outpatient areas) is that visiting is suspended with immediate effect and until further notice. NHS organisations will, however, consider visitors on compassionate grounds for seriously ill patients or those receiving end-of-life care only in agreement with each individual ward.The visitor guidance can be found at the following link: https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/publication/visitor-guidance/

New and Emerging Respiratory Virus Threats Advisory Group: Annual Reports

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, for what reason the Annual Report of the New and Emerging Respiratory Threats Advisory Group for 2017 has not been published.

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, (a) when the annual report of the New and Emerging Respiratory Threats Advisory Group for 2018 and 2019  will be published and (b) what advice his Department has given Public Health England on the reports.

Jo Churchill: A combined report (covering January 2017 – December 2018) is in the final stages of completion and will be published in due course. The delay in publishing the report is due to the prioritisation of publishing online the COVID-19 related New and Emerging Respiratory Threats Advisory Group publications. The COVID-19 documents, as well as previous annual reports can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/groups/new-and-emerging-respiratory-virus-threats-advisory-group#meetings

Dental Services

Jonathan Ashworth: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) children and (b) adults have had tooth extractions in each month of 2020.

Jo Churchill: The data is not held in the format requested.

Coronavirus

Richard Burgon: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what information he holds on the number of new covid-19 infections recorded each day since 1 May 2020.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



Public Health England publishes the daily number of laboratory-confirmed cases of COVID-19 in England from 6 February to present, at the following link:https://coronavirus.data.gov.uk/

Dental Services: Coronavirus

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the potential risks to dentists of re-opening dental practices during the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



NHS dentistry was reorganised in late March along with other NHS primary care services to minimise face to face care to contain the spread of COVID-19 during the peak of the pandemic. Dentists were asked to suspend all routine treatment and instead to offer urgent advice and, where required, prescriptions for antibiotics by telephone. Urgent treatment was made available through urgent dental centres (UDCs) set up in each National Health Services region.As of 25 May there are currently over 550 UDCs open. Patients are triaged into UDCs by their own dentistry or through NHS 111. The urgent dental centres are expected to provide, where urgently needed, the full range of dental treatment normally available on the NHS.The NHS England and Improvement guidance issued from the Chief Dental Officer on 25 March applied directly only to NHS dental care. When providing private care dentists should consider any advice or guidance issued by regulators, the relevant professional body, Chief Professional Officers, or the NHS, as appropriate. All official guidance should be considered in delivery of private or NHS treatment but guidance issued to the NHS is only binding for NHS care.NHS England and Improvement announced on 28 May that NHS dentistry outside urgent care centres will begin to restart from 8 June with the aim of increasing levels of service as fast as is compatible with maximising safety. The letter to dentists setting this out is available at the following link:https://www.england.nhs.uk/coronavirus/wp-ontent/uploads/sites/52/2020/03/Urgent-dental-care-letter-28-May.pdf

Palliative Care: Children

Stephen Timms: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what plans he has for (a) NHS England and (b) NHS Improvement to publish its standard operating procedure for children’s palliative care in (i) children’s hospices and i(ii) the community during the covid-19 pandemic; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



Working with key stakeholders, NHS England and NHS improvement have developed a standard operating procedure (SOP), for palliative care for children and young people in community and hospice settings during the COVID-19 pandemic, which is due to be published shortly.The SOP is aimed at supporting staff who are providing care or supporting children and young people, and their families, who have palliative and/or end of life care needs in the community, including home and hospice care. Palliative care will include some children and young people who have life-limiting long-term conditions and complex health needs. It encourages all providers of children’s palliative care (statutory and voluntary sector) to work collaboratively and flexibly across health settings to support this group of children and young people and keep them safe during the pandemic.

Coronavirus: North of England

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of trends in the level of (a) registered deaths involving covid-19 and (b) hospital admission rates from covid-19 in the (i) North of England and (ii) Yorkshire and the Humber and (iii) Sheffield City Region.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



Public Health England publishes weekly surveillance reports on GOV.UK with hospitalisations and deaths in all settings.A summary of hospital admission rates and deaths by NHS England regions (including North West, North East and Yorkshire) can be found at the following links:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/national-covid-19-surveillance-reports

Diabetes: Coronavirus

Mr David Jones: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether the Government plans to revise its advice to diabetics in respect of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



Those with diabetes are already on the wider clinically vulnerable list and should be strictly following social distancing measures. The guidance on shielding and protecting people who are clinically extremely vulnerable from COVID-19 has been developed by expert doctors identifying specific medical conditions based on what we know about the virus so far. We will continue to keep this evidence under review.In addition, general practitioners and hospital specialists have been asked to recommend other patients follow shielding guidance, based on clinical judgement and an assessment of each individual’s needs.

Dyslexia: Diagnosis

Grahame Morris: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to introduce adult dyslexia diagnostic assessments in the NHS for people that did not receive an assessment during their school years.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



This is a matter for National Health Service commissioners taking into account any guidance published by the National Institute for Health and Care Excellence.

NHS: Voluntary Work

Dame Diana Johnson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many available hours have been offered by NHS Volunteer Responders via the GoodSAM Responders app during the covid-19 outbreak; and how many hours have been used to date.

Helen Whately: This information is not collected in the format requested. Information is available on the number of tasks carried out by NHS Volunteer Responders but not the time taken to do so.

Post-polio Syndrome: Coronavirus

Dr Julian Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 13 May to Question 38861 on Coronavirus: Disease Control, for what reasons people living with post-polio syndrome have not been included in the clinically extremely vulnerable category; and if he will make it his policy to include those people in that category.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



Those on the clinically extremely vulnerable list include those who have specific medical conditions that, based on what we know about the virus so far, place someone at greatest risk of severe illness from COVID-19. Disease severity, history or treatment levels will also affect who is in this group.Some conditions are not suitable for blanket inclusion in the clinically extremely vulnerable and this is the case for post-polio syndrome where there is a spectrum of severity. Some patients with post-polio syndrome experience mild symptoms, and it would not be proportionate for them to be included in the clinically extremely vulnerable and advised to shield.General practitioners and hospital clinicians can exercise their clinical judgement and continue to add people to, or remove them from, the list depending on the circumstances of each individual case. People will only be removed from the list following a discussion with their clinician.

NHS and Social Services: Protective Clothing

Preet Kaur Gill: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will publish details of the contract awarded to Clipper Logistics to operate the nationwide personal protective equipment supply chain.

Jo Churchill: The Department has awarded multiple contracts for the supply and distribution of personal protective equipment to the National Health Service under the processes detailed in the Procurement Policy Note 01/20. This has ensured the availability of critical items that could not be acquired in the necessary timeframe by using the standard procurement processes. Procurement Regulations require the publication of Contract Award Notices in the Official Journal of the European Union and the publication of certain information on Contracts Finder about contracts awarded. Notices will be published in line with those rules.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the reasons for which care homes have been disproportionately affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



COVID-19 continues to present an unprecedented challenge for social care. Since this pandemic began, we have been working flat out to support the social care sector – drawing on all the levers that the Government has to help social care providers look after the people in their care. We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes and ensure everyone has access to the right care, in the most appropriate setting for their needs.The safety of residents and staff is always a priority. We have provided extensive support and guidance to care homes throughout the COVID-19 pandemic.This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we will continue to review our guidance and national support in line with the latest scientific advice.

Coronavirus: Protective Clothing and Screening

Helen Hayes: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he provide publish the (a) value of and (b) performance against key performance indicators of the Government’s contract with Deloitte for the (i) procurement of personal protective equipment and (ii) provision of testing for covid-19 since the start of that contract.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



As an existing professional services provider to the public sector, Deloitte’s expertise is being used to supplement in-house resource to deliver significant programmes of work, which currently includes the national response to COVID-19. Guidance on how contracting authorities should respond to COVID-19 was published on 18 March. We have made it clear that authorities must continue to achieve value for money for taxpayers, use good commercial judgement and publish the details of any awards made, in line with Government transparency guidelines. The Department has put in place arrangements to ensure robust contract management in line with relevant guidance.Procurement Regulations require the publication of Contract Award Notices, containing information on the final agreed value of the contract, in the Official Journal of the European Union and we publish certain information on Contracts Finder about contracts awarded.

General Practitioners: Protective Clothing

Clive Lewis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department is taking to ensure that sufficient personal protective equipment is available to GPs that are providing palliative care and are exposed to potential covid-19 patients in the community.

Jo Churchill: We are working around the clock to give the social care sector and wider National Health Service the equipment and support they need to tackle this outbreak.Systems set up to supply 226 NHS trusts have scaled up to provide drops of critical equipment to 58,000 healthcare settings including general practitioners (GPs), pharmacies and social care providers. We have made over 24 million items of PPE available to primary care providers

Coronavirus: Disease Control

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what (a) process was undertaken and (b) criteria used to award Serco the contract for putting in place contact tracers; whether that process an open competition; on what date the tendering process started; and which other companies submitted a bid to provide those contact tracers.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Serco are an approved supplier on the Crown Commercial Service contact centre framework. They gained their place through fair and open competition via an Official Journal of the European Union procurement. Value for money and capability were part of the assessment criteria. Crown Commercial Service undertook a pre-procurement exercise engaging with all suppliers under the framework to understand which could establish the contract centre in the volumes required and the timescales needed. The department has put in place arrangements to ensure robust contract management in line with relevant guidance.

Coronavirus: Railway Stations

Mr David Davis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what the scientific basis is for the decision to close station waiting rooms rather than allow the partial use of the facilities with social distancing measures in place.

Helen Whately: In the Government guidance to transport operators, there is no explicit ask for rail operators to close waiting rooms. However, it does ask for measures to be put in place to support social distancing e.g. by “rearranging, limiting or removing seating to try and ensure social distancing is observed” The ‘Coronavirus (COVID-19): Safer transport – guidance for operators’ can be found at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/884370/coronavirus-covid-19-safer-transport-guidance-for-operators.pdf

Coronavirus: Mental Health

Munira Wilson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many funding proposals on the effects of the covid-19 outbreak on mental health have been (a) granted and (b) rejected by (i) UK Research and Innovation and (b) the National Institute of Health Research.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The United Kingdom Government has committed £24.6 million for COVID-19 research through a joint rapid research call from the National Institute for Health Research (NIHR) and UK Research and Innovation (UKRI). This included one mental health study awarded £400,000.In addition to this, as of 21 May, UKRI has identified eight grants already receiving funding, totalling £2.4 million, that are looking at mental health in the context of COVID-19.Calls for research into impacts of COVID-19 on mental health are still open and receiving large numbers of applications, it would therefore be inappropriate to report on success rates by research area and the numbers above will not represent the full scale of NIHR and UKRI activities.The NIHR has established an expert mental health panel as part of the prioritisation process for Urgent Public Health Research. Prioritised mental health studies will have access to NIHR Clinical Research Network resources to support study delivery.

Taitusi Ratucaucau

Dan Jarvis: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the accuracy of recent media reports that the Commonwealth-born, British Army veteran, Taitusi Ratucaucau is facing a medical bill for treatment after being found ineligible for free NHS care; and if he will make a statement.

Ms Nadine Dorries: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



Within England, free National Health Service hospital treatment is provided on the basis of someone being ‘ordinarily resident’. There are several groups of people who are exempt from charging. This includes:- United Kingdom armed forces members, plus their spouse/civil partner and children under 18; and- Those receiving war pensions, war widows’ pensions or armed forces compensation scheme payments, plus their spouse/civil partner and children under 18.NHS England and NHS Improvement are working with the provider concerned and the Department to ensure the veteran continues to receive the best possible treatment and care from the NHS whilst the issue of his eligibility for free NHS care is resolved.

Ventilators: Imports

Gareth Thomas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 11 May 2020 to Question 37400 on Ventilators: Imports, who the members of the Joint Action Coordination Team are; and if he will publish the minutes of the meetings of that team.

Edward Argar: The Joint Assistance Coordination Team was established as a partnership between the Department for International Trade and the Foreign and Commonwealth Office, working closely with the Department of Health and Social Care and the National Health Service to coordinate and facilitate the activity of sourcing medical equipment from overseas on behalf of the NHS.It has been the practice of successive administrations that the Government does not disclose details of internal meetings, and it is not common practice to disclose the names of officials.

Health and Social Services: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if he will make it his policy to provide official public reporting on the number of health and care workers who have died from covid-19; what steps he is taking to collect, record and report on health and care worker deaths accurately and transparently; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: The number of National Health Service worker deaths is verified from direct reports from NHS employing organisations and the number of individuals identified as deceased healthcare workers by non-NHS organisations. This information is investigated and triangulated by NHS England to give a high level of confidence of validity. The Department of Health and Social Care is working with NHS England, devolved administrations and the Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government to develop improved figures.For care workers, the Government is using data from the Office for National Statistics (ONS). This analysis is publicly available and can be found on the ONS website at the following link:https://www.ons.gov.uk/peoplepopulationandcommunity/healthandsocialcare/causesofdeath/bulletins/coronaviruscovid19relateddeathsbyoccupationenglandandwales/deathsregistereduptoandincluding20april2020The Government has been working closely with the social care sector for some time to build a more comprehensive picture of social care workers who have died. In addition to ONS data, we are asking social care employers to inform the Department when a care worker dies from COVID-19, so that the appropriate steps can be taken. These include supporting the families and employers of those who have died and allowing the opportunity for commemorative actions, depending on the family and employer’s wishes. Information about this process can be found on GOV.UK at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-informing-dhsc-of-the-death-of-a-worker-in-social-care

Care Homes: ICT

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, pursuant to the Answer of 18 May 2020 to Question 43872, what estimate he has made of the number of portals that would be required to roll out the pilot to enable all care home residents to connect with loved ones during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Initial findings from the Facebook Portal pilot suggest having access to just one Portal device in a care home can help residents to connect with loved ones during the COVID-19 outbreak. Although the pilot is ongoing and Portals are still being deployed, based on current numbers just over 70% of the devices will be in care homes. As there are approximately 15,500 care homes in England according to Care Quality Commission data, it is estimated up to 14,000 Portals or similar devices may be required to scale the pilot to all care homes nationally. The Facebook Portal is one of a number of solutions NHSX is looking at to help to reduce isolation and support video and remote care during COVID-19.

Mental Health Services: Protective Clothing

Mrs Emma Lewell-Buck: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what guidance his Department has issued on the (a) provision and (b) use of personal protective equipment in mental health services that are commissioned by the NHS and delivered by third-sector providers.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The Government launched its three-strand plan for the provision of personal protective equipment (PPE) on 10 April. There is a specific section on social care which can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/coronavirus-covid-19-personal-protective-equipment-ppe-planThe guidance on PPE is part of ‘COVID-19: infection prevention and control’ guidance and includes mental health services. This is available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/wuhan-novel-coronavirus-infection-prevention-and-control

Coronavirus: Banks

James Murray: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps his Department has taken to make sure the instruction to ensure bank staff and subcontractors receive full pay when in self-isolation, as referred to by NHS England and NHS Improvement in a letter of 2 March 2020 to NHS Trust executives, is (a) funded, (b) monitored, and (c) enforced.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



It is essential for infection control purposes that staff members who are told to self-isolate, do so as quickly as possible.As such we have made sure that we have issued guidance to employers to ensure that all National Health Service staff, including bank workers and subcontracted staff who must be physically present at an NHS facility to fulfill their role, receive full pay should they need to self-isolate. Our guidance states that employers should use their usual methods for calculating full pay using agreed processes at a local level and in line with NHS terms and conditions.NHS England and NHS Improvement wrote to NHS organisations and providers on 17 March 2020 with details of updates to financial arrangements during the 2020/21 financial year, stating that NHS providers and commissioners must carefully record the costs incurred in responding to the COVID-19 outbreak and report actual costs incurred on a monthly basis.We are continuing to review our guidance and working closely with trade unions to monitor and address any related concerns as and when they arise.

Carers: Personal Income

Mr Clive Betts: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what steps he has taken to protect the incomes of workers involved in Shared Lives provision.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



This Government is grateful for everything Shared Lives carers do to provide care and support to thousands of people. Many have continued to do this during the COVID-19 crisis, but we are aware that others have seen a reduction in the caring hours they provide, which has an impact on their income.The Department is currently working with Shared Lives Plus and local government on this issue, to ensure that Shared Lives carers receive appropriate support at a local level.In addition, Shared Lives carers may be able to receive support through the welfare system, including benefitting from Government's relaxation of the earnings rules (known as the Minimum Income Floor) in Universal Credit.

Coronavirus: Hearing Impaired

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, if his Department will update the Government advice entitled How to wear and make a cloth face covering to provide information on how face coverings can be made with a clear panel to assist those people who utilise lipreading for communication.

Mary Kelly Foy: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment his Department has made of the safety of using (a) face coverings with clear panels and (b) transparent face shields to assist people who utilise lipreading for communication in settings where personal protective equipment is not required; and how that assessment will be communicated to the public.

Jo Churchill: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The Scientific Advisory Group for Emergencies considered the very limited evidence available on the use of face coverings and advised that there was some positive benefit for reducing the transmission of COVID-19. The Government has not made an assessment of transparent face coverings.The Government is now advising wearing a face covering in situations where it is difficult to manage social distancing and there may be close contact with people the wearer would not usually meet.Further guidance on the use of face coverings is available to view at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/staying-safe-outside-your-home/staying-safe-outside-your-home#face-coveringsInstructions on how to make and use a face covering are also available at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/how-to-wear-and-make-a-cloth-face-covering

Oral Tobacco

Afzal Khan: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, whether he plans to make an assessment of the effectiveness of the ban on snus products.

Jo Churchill: Snus is banned in the United Kingdom under the Tobacco and Related Products Regulations 2016, which implemented the European Union Tobacco Products Directive. The impact assessment for the 2014 Directive can be found at the following link:https://ec.europa.eu/health/sites/health/files/tobacco/docs/com_2012_788_ia_en.pdfThe Government will consider in due course reviewing the position on snus, and whether the introduction of this product onto the UK market would promote a proportionate approach to managing risks, one which protects the young and non-smokers, whilst giving smokers access to products which may reduce harm.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Caroline Lucas: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the effectiveness of co-operation between Public Health England and the Care Quality Commission on (a) delivering monitoring procedures over care homes in respect of the spread of covid-19 and (b) mitigating cases of  covid-19; and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Public Health England (PHE) holds regular meetings with the Care Quality Commission (CQC) to discuss the spread of COVID-19 in care homes and management of outbreaks. PHE has shared a care home situation report which provides data on outbreaks with the CQC on a daily basis since 1 April 2020. The CQC and PHE continue to work closely to ensure an effective and joined up response in relation to the spread and mitigation of COVID-19. PHE and the CQC along with other national and local organisations are contributing to the care home support package announced on 14 May. Further information can be found at the following link:https://assets.publishing.service.gov.uk/government/uploads/system/uploads/attachment_data/file/885214/14_May_2020_-_MSC_letter_-_support_for_care_homes_1.pdfPHE data on care home outbreaks, published weekly, indicates that the reported number of outbreaks in care homes has been decreasing since 6 April 2020. The latest report can be found at the following link:https://www.gov.uk/government/statistical-data-sets/covid-19-number-of-outbreaks-in-care-homes-management-information

Coronavirus: Learning Disability

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what assessment he has made of the rise in monthly  increase in deaths of people with (a) autism and (b) learning difficulties during the covid-19 outbreak.

Helen Whately: Data on the number of deaths of people with a learning disability and/or autism as a result of COVID-19 has now been published by NHS England. We will continue to monitor this data to assess the impact of COVID-19 on people with a learning disability and/or autism.

Veterans: Health Services

Mrs Sharon Hodgson: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, what estimate he has made of (a) the number of British Army Veterans born overseas have paid for NHS healhcare and (b) the total amount paid for that healthcare in the latest period for which figures are available.

Ms Nadine Dorries: This data is not collected centrally.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many patients were discharged from hospitals in (a) England and (b) to (i) care homes and (ii) nursing homes between 19 March 2020 and 31 March 2020.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The total number of people discharged from hospitals in England between 19 March 2020 and 31 March 2020 was 341,562.The Government does not hold data on the total number of patients discharged from hospitals to care homes and nursing homes. We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes, and ensure everyone has access to the right care in the most appropriate setting for their needs.This is an unprecedented global pandemic, and we will continue to work closely with the sector to keep our policies and data under review as it goes on.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many care homes where one or more residents has died with covid-19 received people who were discharged from hospitals between 19 March 2020 and 31 March 2020.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The Government does not hold data on the total number of care homes where one or more residents has died of COVID-19, and received people who were discharged to care homes from hospitals between 19 March and 31 March 2020.We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes, and ensure everyone has access to the right care in the most appropriate setting for their needs.This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we will continue to work closely with the sector to keep our policies and data under review as the pandemic goes on.

Care Homes: Coronavirus

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many of the care homes in England which did not have  any residents diagnosed with covid-19 as at 20 May 2020 received patients who were discharged from hospitals in England between 19 March 2020 and 31 March 2020 ;and if he will make a statement.

Helen Whately: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



The Government does not hold data on the total number of care homes in England, which did not have any residents diagnosed with COVID-19 as of 20 May 2020 that received patients who were discharged from hospitals in England between 19 March 2020 and 31 March 2020.We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes and ensure everyone has access to the right care in the most appropriate setting for their needs.This is an unprecedented global pandemic and we will continue to work closely with the sector to keep our policies and data under review as the pandemic continues.

Care Homes: Newcastle upon Tyne

Chi Onwurah: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many care home residents in Newcastle (a) entered and (b) re-entered their care homes after testing positive for covid-19.

Helen Whately: The Department does not currently hold data on the total number of care home residents in Newcastle who entered and re-entered their care homes after testing positive for COVID-19. It is the responsibility of the local authority, supported by Public Health England and NHS England to manage outbreaks in the first instance.We are working closely with local authorities, the care sector and NHS England to understand the impact of COVID-19 on care homes and to ensure everyone has access to the right care in the most appropriate setting for their needs.This is an unprecedented global pandemic, and we will continue to work closely with the sector to keep our policies and data under review as the pandemic goes on.

Health Services: Private Sector

Sir Christopher Chope: To ask the Secretary of State for Health and Social Care, how many (a) consultations and (b) surgical operations were carried out for NHS patients in private hospitals in England in (a) March 2020 and (b) April 2020; and what steps he is taking to ensure that the resources of private hospitals are being used to the maximum extent for the benefit of NHS patients.

Edward Argar: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



It is not possible to provide the data in the format requested.

Wales Office

Government Assistance: Wales

Marco Longhi: At what level discussions have taken place between the Government and the Welsh Government on tackling the covid-19 outbreak.

David T C Davies: There are regular and productive discussions between the UK Government and Welsh Government at both Ministerial and official level on all aspects of our response to covid-19 to maintain our joined-up response. Only last week I was pleased to join the Healthcare Ministerial Implementation Group with the Welsh Government Minister for Health and Social Services.

Business: Government Assistance

Mr Stephen Morgan: What recent discussions he has had with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy on support for Welsh businesses affected by the covid-19 outbreak.

Simon Hart: I have regular discussions with the Secretary of State for Business, Energy and Industrial Strategy and his ministerial colleagues on support being provided to Welsh businesses to respond to the Covid-19 outbreak.

Department for Education

Schools: Coronavirus

Steve McCabe: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, whether headteachers will be able to decide which (a) age and (b) year groups are prioritised for return to school as the covid-19 lockdown restrictions are eased.

Nick Gibb: The Department has asked primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers), from 1 June. The rationale for identifying these year groups is included in guidance for schools and childcare settings to prepare for wider opening from 1 June. More details are available here: https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/actions-for-educational-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020/actions-for-education-and-childcare-settings-to-prepare-for-wider-opening-from-1-june-2020.The three year groups within mainstream primary have been prioritised because they are key transition years. Children in Reception and year 1 are at the very beginning of their school career and are mastering the essential basics, including counting and the fundamentals of reading and writing, and learning to socialise with their peers. Year 6 children are finishing Key Stage 2 and are preparing for the transition to secondary school and will benefit immensely from time with their friends and teachers to ensure they are ready.The Department is asking that schools only welcome back these eligible year groups from 1 June. Our ambition is to bring all primary year groups back to school before the summer holidays, for a month if feasible, though this will be kept under review. We will only welcome back additional year groups if the most up-to-date assessment of the risk posed by the virus indicates it is appropriate to have larger numbers of children within schools. The safety of children and staff is our utmost priority.

Schools: Coronavirus

Mr Barry Sheerman: To ask the Secretary of State for Education, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of bringing school summer holidays forwards, given that routine teaching will most likely be more viable in August than it is now.

Nick Gibb: We want to get all children back into education as soon as the scientific advice allows because it is the best place for them to learn and it is good for children’s mental wellbeing to have social interactions with other children, carers and teachers.As a result of the huge efforts everyone has made to adhere to strict social distancing measures, the transmission rate of coronavirus has decreased and the Government’s five tests have been met. Based on all the evidence, the Department has asked primary schools to welcome back children in nursery, Reception, year 1 and year 6, alongside priority groups (vulnerable children and children of critical workers), from 1 June. From 15 June, secondary schools can invite year 10 and 12 pupils (years 10 and 11 for alternative provision schools) back into school for some face-to-face support with their teachers, to supplement their remote education, which will remain the predominant mode of education for these pupils this term. Priority groups can continue to attend full-time.

Prime Minister

Richard Desmond

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Prime Minister, on what dates (a) he or (b) his special advisors had discussions with (i) Richard Desmond and (ii) board members, staff or agents of the Northern & Shell Media Group (A) prior to his appointment as Prime Minister and (B) after his appointment.

Boris Johnson: Ministerial meetings with external organisations are published on gov.uk as part of the government’s transparency agenda. Both Ministers and special advisers declare meetings with senior media executives, as part of their transparency returns.

Property Development: Isle of Dogs

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Prime Minister, what contact he has had with (a) developers or (b) their representatives on the Westferry Printworks development, PA/18/01877/A1 which was granted planning permission by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2020.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Prime Minister, what meetings he has attended with (a) developers or (b) their representatives on the Westferry Printworks development, PA/18/01877/A1 which was granted planning permission by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2020.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Prime Minister, what contact his special advisors have had with (a) developers or (b) their representatives on the Westferry Printworks development, PA/18/01877/A1 which was granted planning permission by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2020.

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Prime Minister, what meetings his special advisors have attended with (a) developers or (b) their representatives on the Westferry Printworks development, (PA/18/01877/A1 which was granted planning permission by the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government on 14 January 2020.

Boris Johnson: Ministers and special advisers act in accordance with the MHCLG Guidance on Planning Propriety Issues. In that light, No10 Ministers and special advisers would not discuss the details of live planning applications with MHCLG Planning Ministers. Any representations by other Government departments to a called-in or recovered planning application being considered by MHCLG would be disclosed as part of the evidence to the planning inquiry.

Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government

Social Rented Housing: Fire Prevention

John Healey: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, how many regulatory judgements were issued by the Regulator of Social Housing in relation to fire safety concerns since June 2017.

Christopher Pincher: The Regulator of Social Housing sets standards that registered providers are required to meet - including that a landlord meets all applicable statutory requirements that provide for the health and safety of the occupants of their homes. Failure to comply with a standard may result in the regulator publishing a Regulatory Judgement or a Regulatory Notice depending on the nature of the failing.In relation to fire safety, there was one Regulatory Notice against a housing association in 2017/18. There were five Regulatory Notices in 2018/19 (four housing associations and a local authority)From 1 April 2019 to 31 March 2020 there were 13 Regulatory Notices issued in total (six housing associations and seven local authorities). In addition, there were 2 Regulatory judgements issued due to health and safety concerns, including fire safety.  From 1 April 2020 to date, no Regulatory Notices have been issued relating to fire safety.

Local Government: Coronavirus

Charlotte Nichols: To ask the Secretary of State for Housing, Communities and Local Government, what guidance his Department has issued to local authorities on safeguarding of the details of vulnerable people that have been identified as needing support during the covid-19 outbreak.

Christopher Pincher: We have issued, from the start of April onwards, guidance for local authorities on sharing of the personal data that they have been receiving in relation to those who are clinically, extremely vulnerable. This covers purpose, appropriate use and in what circumstances NHS Shielded Patient List, and Government Digital Service (GDS) shielding data can be shared. The guidance has been updated periodically, in response to developments in the shielding programme and queries from local authorities.

Ministry of Defence

Armed Forces: Emergencies

Rachael Maskell: To ask the Secretary of State for Defence, what discussions he has had with (a) local authorities, (b) the Environment Agency and (c) the NHS on a permanent role for the armed forces in planning for civil contingencies.

James Heappey: Defence plays a vital role in the UK's resilience, particularly in our nation's ability to anticipate, prepare for, respond to, and recover from potential emergencies and disruptive risks at home and abroad. Defence engages regularly with Other Government Departments, agencies and the Devolved Administrations and is fully integrated into routine cross-Government contingency planning, at both the strategic and local levels, for a wide range of scenarios. We conduct training and exercises at local resilience forum level and above to prepare for civil contingency tasks, alongside civil authorities, agencies and partners and provide input to the National Security Risk Assessment and National Resilience Capability plan. To enhance our ability to plan for and respond to crises in conjunction with Other Government Departments, Defence has a permanent military liaison officer embedded in the Cabinet Office Civil Contingencies Secretariat and a well-established regional liaison network that interfaces with local government and public service providers across the UK. Consequently, Defence is well-prepared to respond to crises when called upon to do so, either as the lead department or in support of Other Government Departments.

Department for Work and Pensions

Universal Credit

Neil Coyle: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, with reference to the requirement for advanced payments under universal credit to be repaid to her Department, for what reason her Department does not treat those advanced payments as a loan for the purposes of departmental data publication.

Will Quince: Holding answer received on 02 June 2020



Accounting regulations would not allow us to treat UC Advances as loans as they are not loans and so are not recognised as loans.Advances are a mechanism for getting claimants faster access to their entitlement; allowing claimants to receive 13 payments over 12 months with up to 12 months to repay the advance.

Pensions: Coronavirus

Jonathan Reynolds: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, what assessment she has made of the potential merits of enabling the electronic submission of life certificates from UK pensioners overseas during the covid-19 outbreak.

Guy Opperman: During the Emergency period DWP has suspended the issue of Life Certificates to customers living abroad, recognising the difficulties securing independent verification would present while Foreign Countries experience different phases of Lock Down. The situation is under regular review and the process will be reintroduced at an appropriate point. In the meantime, verification clearance has been undertaken by telephone for those who have already received Life Certificates, ensuring our customer service standards are not compromised. We continue to explore alternative means of International verification and have recently introduced arrangements with USA to align to their death registration process removing the future requirement for dispatching Life Certificates to customers living in the USA.

Personal Independence Payment

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many new claims for personal independence payment have been rejected since 1 March 2020.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Personal Independence Payment

Vicky Foxcroft: To ask the Secretary of State for Work and Pensions, how many and what proportion of new personal independence payment claims carried out over the phone have been rejected since 1 March 2020.

Justin Tomlinson: The information requested is not readily available and to provide it would incur disproportionate cost.

Cabinet Office

Press Conferences: Coronavirus

Nadia Whittome: To ask the Minister for the Cabinet Office, pursuant to the Answer of 4 May 2020 to Question 41211, whether the Government is taking steps to make it possible for under-18s to submit questions for the Government’s Covid-19 press conferences.

Chloe Smith: Holding answer received on 20 May 2020



We are mindful of the importance and value of young people being able to contribute their views on how the Government, and the country, can collectively tackle the Covid-19 pandemic.Notwithstanding, I would note that members of the public who ask questions, particularly those who are filmed, place themselves in the public eye to a significant extent – both on television, but also subsequently are subject to comment on social media.There are practical issues with children being subjected to such scrutiny, without parental consent and involvement. As it stands, parents and carers can ask questions on behalf of under-18s as a way for them to participate in the daily press conferences.The Government is actively considering alternative options for under-18s to submit questions to ministers. For example, we have organised a virtual assembly in conjunction with NSPCC, hosted by Ant & Dec where the Parliamentary Under Secretary of State for Children and Families will answer questions from children on our response to Covid-19.

Treasury

Travel Agents: Coronavirus

Sarah Olney: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, with reference to the covid-19 outbreak, if he will include in his business rates relief for travel agencies those online agencies that have a physical presence for which they pay business rates.

Jesse Norman: The Ministry of Housing, Communities and Local Government has published guidance for local authorities on the implementation of the business rates holiday for the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors. This includes definitions of properties that will benefit from the relief, which includes properties used as travel agents but does not extend relief to properties that are not reasonably accessible to visiting members of the public. A range of further measures has been made available to support all businesses, such as the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme and the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Dr Luke Evans: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what estimate his Department has made of the proportion of applications for the Self Employed Income Support Scheme which have been unsuccessful; and whether he plans to introduce an appeals process for those applicants.

Jesse Norman: The SEISS is a new scheme and HMRC are currently working through the analysis they will be able to provide based on the data available. HMRC will make the timescales for publication and the types of data available in due course. A self-employed person can check if they are eligible for the SEISS using an online checker and if eligible, the self-employed person can make a claim. HMRC are using information that taxpayers have provided in their tax returns to determine eligibility. If the online checker states that a person is not eligible, they can check the guidance on GOV.UK to understand why that may be. Taxpayers can also contact their accountant or tax agent for advice, if they have one. If the taxpayer considers that they meet the criteria, they can request a review using a simple online form.

Insurance: Coronavirus

Matt Western: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what steps he is taking to ensure that insurance companies make payments in respect of business interruption policies that cover the covid-19 outbreak.

John Glen: The Government is in continual dialogue with the insurance sector to understand and influence its response to this unprecedented situation and is encouraging insurers to do all they can to support customers during this difficult period. The Government is working closely with the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA) to ensure that the rules are being upheld during this crisis and fully supports the regulator in its role. The FCA rules require insurers to handle claims fairly and promptly; provide reasonable guidance to help a policyholder make a claim; not reject a claim unreasonably; and settle claims promptly once settlement terms are agreed. In addition, the FCA has said that, in light of COVID-19, insurers must consider very carefully the needs of their customers and show flexibility in their treatment of them. On 1 May the FCA outlined its intention to seek a court declaration, on an agreed and urgent basis, and for a selected number of key issues, to resolve uncertainty for many customers making business interruption claims. Subsequently on 1 June, the FCA announced the policy wordings that would be tested in the court action and insurers it had invited to participate directly, along with an initial list of policy wordings and insurers that will potentially be impacted by the Court’s decision on the representative sample. The FCA expects to publish a final list of all the relevant insurers and policies that may have impacted wordings in early July, and expects a court hearing to take place in late July. However, it is important to note that most businesses have not purchased insurance that covers losses from non-property damage. Additionally, while some policies cover losses arising from any disease classed as notifiable by the government, or a denial of access to a building, most of these policies only cover a specific list of notifiable diseases or an incident specifically on the premises of the business. Insurance policies differ significantly, so businesses are encouraged to check the terms and conditions of their specific policy and contact their providers. The terms of a policy cannot be changed retrospectively. The Government encourages businesses to seek assistance through the wider support package if they are in financial difficulty. Businesses should explore the full package of support set out by the Chancellor in the Budget, on 17 March, and on 20 March, which includes measures such as business rates holidays, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme, and wage support.

Travel: Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether he plans to extend the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme for the travel sector.

Jesse Norman: The Government has been clear that as the economy reopens, the Government will support people back into work. On 12 May, the Government announced that the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) would be extended for four months, until the end of October. On 29 May, the Chancellor announced plans for introducing employer contributions into the CJRS, while ensuring that employees continue to receive 80% of regular wages while furloughed. In June and July, the Government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 as well as employer National Insurance Contributions (ER NICs) and pension contributions for the hours the employee does not work. Employers will have to pay employees for the hours they work. In August, the Government will pay 80% of wages up to a cap of £2,500 and employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions for the hours the employee does not work. In September, the Government will pay 70% of wages up to a cap of £2,187.50 for the hours the employee does not work. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 10% of wages to make up the 80% total, up to a cap of £2,500. In October, the Government will pay 60% of wages up to a cap of £1,875 for the hours the employee does not work. Employers will pay ER NICs and pension contributions and 20% of wages to make up the 80% total, up to a cap of £2,500. The cap will be proportional to the hours not worked.

Duty Free Allowances: Northern Ireland

Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether the Government has made an assessment of the potential merits of introducing conditions, similar to those in place for Jersey, to allow Northern Ireland operators to sell duty free products along with the rest of the UK to EU member states once the transition period has ended.

Ian Paisley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment the Government has made of the future duty free implications for Northern Ireland; and what steps the Government is taking to ensure Northern Irish operators are not adversely affected once the transition period has ended.

Jesse Norman: The Government continues to work through the implications of the Northern Ireland Protocol. The Government is committed to providing guidance on how the NI Protocol will work, including for duty-free goods, ahead of the end of the transition period.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Mike Amesbury: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will make an assessment of the potential merits of extending the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme to support people who receive a majority of their income through their armed services pension but earn additional income through self-employment.

Jesse Norman: The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) helps those adversely affected by COVID-19 and is one of the most generous self-employed COVID-19 support schemes in the world. The SEISS, including the eligibility requirement that an individual’s trading profits must be no more than £50,000 and at least equal to their non-trading income, is targeted at those who most need it, and who are most reliant on their self-employment income. Income from an armed forces pension is subject to income tax and this is included in the calculation of an individual’s non-trading income. However, certain pensions paid to members of the armed forces, such as the additional pension paid to holders of certain gallantry awards, are not treated as income for income tax purposes. This income is not reported to HMRC and is not included in the calculation of non-trading income. Individuals receiving more than half their income from other sources, such as pensions, could still be eligible for other financial support. The SEISS is part of a comprehensive package of support for self-employed people, including Bounce Back loans, income tax deferrals, rental support, increased levels of Universal Credit, mortgage holidays, and various business support measures. More information about the full range of business support measures is available at www.gov.uk/government/collections/financial-support-for-businesses-during-coronavirus-covid-19.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Margaret Ferrier: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to the Answer of 19 May 2020 to Question 45620 on the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme, if he will make it his policy to enable accountants to submit applications to the Self-Employed Income Support Scheme on behalf of their self-employed clients.

Jesse Norman: The Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) was designed in order to make it deliverable quickly and to minimise the risk of fraud. Expanding the scope to include provision for accountants and other agents to make applications on behalf of their clients would have taken significantly longer to deliver, at a time when speed is a priority.  Self-employed people who are eligible for the SEISS were able to make claims from 13 May 2020, and by midnight 24 May 2020 about 2.3 million people had successfully claimed the SEISS. The claims process for the SEISS is easy and straightforward, with HMRC doing all of the calculations.

Food: Wholesale Trade

Carolyn Harris: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will extend the application of business rates relief to food and drink wholesalers.

Jesse Norman: The Government has provided enhanced support to the retail, hospitality and leisure sectors through business rates relief given the direct and acute impacts of the COVID-19 pandemic on those sectors. A range of further measures to support all businesses, including food and drink wholesalers, has also been made available. For example, the Government has launched the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme to help firms keep people in employment, the Coronavirus Business Interruption Loan Scheme offering loans of up to £5 million for SMEs through the British Business Bank backed by an 80% Government guarantee, and is deferring VAT payments for this quarter. The Government will consider any further financial assistance necessary to help businesses get through this period.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme

Kate Osamor: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, whether self-employed workers who are subject to the Turkish EC Association Agreement visa are eligible for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Jesse Norman: The revised guidance published alongside the legal Direction makes it clear that grants under the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) are not counted as “access to public funds”, and that taxpayers can claim the SEISS grant on all categories of visa. This treatment of the SEISS grant aligns with that of payments from the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme

Kevin Brennan: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, pursuant to his Answer of 19 May to Question 45967, if he will estimate the start and leaving dates for a proportion of employments referred to in his answer in order to calculate complete and full figures of people who were due to start a job after 28 February 2020 and who are not covered by the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme.

Jesse Norman: It has not been possible to provide an answer based on complete data in the time available. HMRC are continuing to explore the data and analysis it is possible to provide on the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and on its delivery.

Self-employment Income Support Scheme: Aberdeen

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many self-employed workers in Aberdeen (a) earn less than £50,000 each year, (b) have applied to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and (c) have been awarded a grant under that scheme.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many self-employed workers in Scotland (a) earn less than £50,000 each year, (b) have applied to the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme and (c) have been awarded a grant under that scheme.

Jesse Norman: Applications for the Self-Employment Income Support Scheme (SEISS) opened on 13 May. By midnight on 24 May, HMRC had received 2.3m claims representing a total of £6.8bn claimed. SEISS is a new scheme and HMRC are currently working through the analysis they will be able to provide based on the data available. HMRC will update in due course on the types of data available and timescales for publication.

Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme: Aberdeen

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many businesses in Aberdeen (a) have claimed wages through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (b) are continuing to pay their workers the additional 20 per cent of their contracted salary.

Stephen Flynn: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, how many workers in Aberdeen are (a) having their wages paid through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme and (b) are continuing to receive the final 20 poer cent of their contracted salary from their employer.

Jesse Norman: Applications for the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme (CJRS) opened on Monday 20 April. By midnight on 24 May, 1m employers had submitted claims to HMRC representing 8.4m furloughed employments and £15bn. This is a new scheme and HMRC are currently working through the analysis they will be able to provide based on the data available. HMRC will make the timescales for publication and the types of data available in due course.

Self-employed: Coronavirus

Sir Peter Bottomley: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will introduce temporary support based on PAYE data for freelance workers who have not been registered for support through the Coronavirus Job Retention Scheme by previous employers.

Jesse Norman: An employee on a fixed term contract can be re-employed, furloughed and claimed for, if either: their contract expired after 28 February 2020 and an RTI payment submission for the employee was notified to HMRC on or before 28 February 2020, or their contract expired after 19 March 2020 and an RTI payment submission for the employee was notified to HMRC on or before 19 March 2020. The decision to furlough an employee must be agreed by both the employer and employee. The Government is also supporting people on low incomes who need to rely on the welfare system through a significant package of temporary measures. This includes a £20 per week increase to the Universal Credit standard allowance and Working Tax Credit basic element, and a nearly £1 billion increase in support for renters through increases to the Local Housing Allowance rates for Universal Credit and Housing Benefit claimants. These changes will benefit new and existing claimants. Anyone can check their eligibility and apply for Universal Credit by visiting https://www.gov.uk/universal-credit. In addition, many freelance workers may be eligible for the Coronavirus Self-Employment Income Support Scheme.

Social Services: Protective Clothing

Mhairi Black: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, what assessment he has made of the potential merits of backdating VAT status for social care services with increased personal and protective equipment costs as a result of the covid-19 outbreak.

Jesse Norman: The Government has taken extraordinary action in introducing the new temporary zero rate on Personal Protective Equipment. This helps all consumers of such equipment, but especially social care providers who cannot recover VAT on this cost.

Social Services: VAT

Mhairi Black: To ask the Chancellor of the Exchequer, if he will assess the potential merits of zero-rated social care services for VAT purposes to allow regulated social care companies to reclaim VAT on expenses.

Jesse Norman: While all taxes are kept under review, there are currently no plans to change the VAT treatment of social care services.

House of Commons Commission

Parliament: Coronavirus

Chris Stephens: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many risk assessments have been carried out as required under Health and Safety law and guidance to facilitate a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak for (a) staff, (b) hon. Members and (c) visitors; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The House of Commons has carried out a COVID-19 risk assessment to comply with the government’s guidance on managing the risks of COVID-19 in the workplace. The results have been shared with House staff, hon. Members and other people who work on the Parliamentary Estate. The assessment has also been published on the Parliamentary intranet and the UK Parliament internet transparency pages. Local task-specific risk assessments have been undertaken by individual teams and offices across the House of Commons to facilitate work activities recommencing safely on the estate. Aligned with Health and Safety Executive (HSE) guidance, the significant findings of these risk assessments have been recorded and used to communicate and manage the risks at Parliament. The House has also been liaising with contractors and other third-party occupants working on the estate to ensure they have adequately considered the risks associated with Covid-19.

Parliament: Coronavirus

Chris Stephens: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what personal protective equipment is available for staff working on the Parliamentary Estate during the covid-19 outbreak; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The provision of personal protective equipment to protect against coronavirus has been guided by Public Health England. After a review, they have advised that the only work on the estate that requires face masks for protection against the coronavirus is undertaken by the occupational health team.Aprons and face masks for use by security officers are available for the security team to wear whilst processing a person through search and screening if they wish, but they are not an essential risk control.Staff who normally wear PPE to protect themselves, for example those exposed to dusts, will continue to do so.

Parliament: Coronavirus

Chris Stephens: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will ensure that a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak will only take place after a full consultation with (a) trade unions and (b) other interested parties; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The safety of all of those on the estate is the key concern of the Commission. Working extensively with Public Health England and via the implementation of the Covid-19 workplace guidance the appropriate steps have been taken to ensure the safety of all on the estate.The House authorities have met with representatives of the Trades Unions for staff in the House of Commons and PDS formally at least three times per week since the beginning of March, and with representatives of Members’ and Peers’ Staff Association (MAPSA) and Unite as representatives of Members’ staff.

Parliament: Coronavirus

Chris Stephens: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, if he will ensure that a full return to Parliament during the covid-19 outbreak will only take place after discussion with the Health and Safety Executive; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: The Head of Parliamentary Safety has discussed with the Health and Safety Executive the key risks and control measures to allow everybody to work safely on the parliamentary estate during the Coronavirus outbreak. The Health and Safety Executive are content that the House administration is working to ensure Parliamentary business can continue, whilst meeting the Government guidelines to become “COVID-19 safe”. Regular discussions between the Head of Parliamentary Safety and the Health and Safety Executive will continue during the outbreak.

Parliament: Coronavirus

Chris Stephens: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, how many members of House staff by department have (a) tested positive and (b) been hospitalised for covid-19; and if he will make a statement.

Pete Wishart: Testing is available to all staff of the House who are symptomatic, and is arranged directly by the individual. Results therefore are a matter for the individual only, alongside whether any hospital treatment is needed. The records held by the House will only indicate whether the member of staff is available for work or not.

Parliamentary Proceedings: Coronavirus

Mhairi Black: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what the cost to the public purse has been to date of implementing hybrid proceedings in Parliament.

Pete Wishart: The House of Commons Commission is responsible for the hybrid proceedings in the Commons. The costs set out below therefore relate only to work associated with the Commons, not Parliament as a whole. The figures show combined implementation/other one-off costs and running costs as at 31 May 2020, and cover committed spend up to that date, not just actual expenditure.VIRTUAL CHAMBER REVENUE COSTS:Chamber set up – £31,200Broadcasting hub set up – £12,734Specialist operating team – £176,000Technical infrastructure hire – £334,000Remote broadcasting provision for Ministers and other key Members – £70,000Additional internet bandwidth – £6,000Sub-total excluding VAT = £629,934(all supplier costs concerned, excluding any capital costs, are VAT recoverable)VIRTUAL CHAMBER CAPITAL COSTS:Broadcasting equipment – £123,994Hansard recording equipment – £58,306 Sub-total excluding VAT = £182,300Sub-total including VAT = £218,760 REMOTE VOTING, BALLOTING AND ANNUNCIATOR COSTS:Remote voting (development, hosting) – £40,000 approx.Commons Balloting – £12,500Remote annunciator (“UKParliamentNow”) – £33,464 (Commons share only) Sub-total including VAT = £85,964 VIRTUAL COMMITTEES REVENUE COSTS: Implementation = £24,327 ex VAT (£29,192 including VAT) VIRTUAL COMMITTEES CAPITAL COSTS: Implementation = £330,824 ex VAT (£396,988 including VAT) ONLINE BY-ELECTION FOR SELECT COMMITTEE CHAIRS £3,780 including VAT. TOTAL REVENUE INCLUDING NON-RECOVERABLE VAT = £745,090 TOTAL CAPITAL INCLUDING VAT = £615,748 GRAND TOTAL = £1,360,838

House of Commons: Parliamentary Proceedings

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what plans the Commission has to publish equality impact assessments on proposals to move the House from hybrid to physical proceedings.

Pete Wishart: Any mitigations identified as part of the equality impact assessment, will be published by 15 June, alongside any other steps taken in the Covid-19 risk assessment which has been published on the transparency pages of the House of Commons website.

House of Commons: Parliamentary Proceedings

Kirsten Oswald: To ask the hon. Member for Perth and North Perthshire, representing the House of Commons Commission, what equality impact assessments have been undertaken with reference to House staff in respect of (a) age, (b) gender and (c) disability to support decision making on moving the House from hybrid to physical proceedings.

Pete Wishart: An equality impact assessment has been carried out to understand the impact of Covid-19 on different groups of staff, including in respect of physical or hybrid proceedings. This has been used to inform actions taken and the design of risk mitigations, and will be published by 15 June.

Women and Equalities

Equality Act 2010

Thangam Debbonaire: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, pursuant to the Answer of 5 May to Question 39526 on Equality Act 2010, what criteria her Department used to decide on the timeframe for the commencement of the provisions of the Equalities Act 2010.

Kemi Badenoch: My Department and others involved are working to quantify the additional costs that a commencement of the remainder of Section 36 of the Equality Act 2010 may require local authorities to meet. Agreement on this figure, and whether and how best such costs can be met, will be a key factor in determining the timescale for commencement.

Minister for Women and Equalities: Correspondence

Marion Fellows: To ask the Minister for Women and Equalities, what the average length of time was for Ministers of her Department to respond to correspondence from hon. Members in each month in the last two years.

Kemi Badenoch: In line with Cabinet Office guidance, the Government Equalities Office has a target of responding within 20 working days where a response is required.As you will understand, the Government Equalities Office is currently dealing with unprecedented volumes of correspondence due to COVID-19. Officials are ensuring that urgent cases raised by hon. Members are prioritised, and are taking steps to provide substantive responses in as short a time as possible.All correspondence received from hon. Members is being reviewed and will be responded to as soon as possible.